Duke Energy asks Carolinas customers to reduce electricity use during Friday peak-demand period

Duke Energy asks Carolinas customers to reduce electricity use during Friday peak-demand period

Duke Energy is asking customers in North Carolina and South Carolina to voluntarily reduce electricity use from 2-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, to help reduce demand on the power grid during the day’s peak period.

Customers can help by taking simple steps during this peak period:

- Raise your thermostat to the highest comfortable setting.

- Avoid using major appliances such as washing machines, clothes dryers and dishwashers.

- Limit use of electric ranges and ovens, which can add heat to your home and increase air conditioning demand.

- Electric vehicle owners: Charge overnight, when demand is lower.

“Above-average heat puts pressure on the system during peak hours,” said Kendal Bowman, president of Duke Energy’s utility operations in North Carolina. “Small actions during the late afternoon and early evening can help reduce strain on the grid and support reliable service for everyone.”

“We recognize it is inconvenient to reduce electric use, but it makes a real difference,” said Tim Pearson, president of Duke Energy’s utility operations in South Carolina. “We’re using every available resource to meet demand so power keeps flowing to our communities.”

Duke Energy has approximately 3.9 million electric customers in North Carolina and more than 870,000 electric customers in South Carolina.